“Go.” The Judge straightened his shoulders, the predatory look in his dark eyes would have made a grown man step back. He might act and look like a gentleman but he wasn't one. The Judge wore the mask of civility better than anyone else I knew. But one look in his eyes and you could tell he was empty.
There was nothing but an empty void where his soul should be. Killing people would do that to you. Enjoying it would do it quicker.
The Judge was a friend, as much as he was a friend to anyone but I did not want him coming for me one cold night. He wouldn’t just kill me; he would smile whilst he was doing it.
I shook the thought away,
“Go.” He repeated. “Go and find a woman. I’ll clean up here.”
Throwing a glance at Hansel, he shrugged. Women and liquor were more his style. Not that he was afraid to get his hands dirty when needed, he just didn’t particularly enjoy it.
“And you?”
The Judge didn’t look up, anything human had already slid from his eyes. “I will clean up here and be on my way.” Finally, he lifted his eyes.
Shark eyes, absolutely soulless.
“If I find out anything, I'll be in touch. You’re going back to the Sons now right?”
I nodded thoughtfully. Was I going back to the Sons? Or was I in fact going home for a totally different reason?
One with bright blue hair and a sharp tongue. And a body I couldn't keep out of my head.
“Want to hit the bar?” Hansel was already ready to get going. “Women and Liquor as the good Judge mentioned?”
“Liquor yes, but...no women.”
A knowing smile spread across his face. The Judge threw a glance in my direction. “Any particular reason why no women?”
“I think we need to have a real discussion about what the hell our next plan is, don’t you? I don't want anyone overhearing. So no women. Let’s keep this small and quiet.”
“You’ve met someone haven’t you?” Without missing a beat, The Judge plunged a wickedly sharp pocketknife into the side of the man’s throat. There was silence in the small bar room as the man gurgled, his mouth opening and closing like a fish stranded on dry land for a few seconds.
I watched as the life dwindled in his eyes. I should have been used to that look. But nothing you could do would ever prepare you for it.
“Someone special I take it?” Chuckling, The Judge headed towards the sink in the corner. “Hell, she must be special if we are having this conversation. What is it about you Sons and settling down?” Throwing a glance over his shoulder, he grinned. “This one isn’t going to cause any trouble, is she? No ties to The Family?”
“No, Gypsy isn’t going to cause any trouble. Unless I drag her into my shit that is.” And there it was. The real reason I couldn't pursue things with her. Gypsy was innately good which meant she should stay as far away from me as possible.
And if I was any kind of man I would let her.
But I wasn’t a good man.
And I sure as hell didn’t know if I could stay away from her.
14
Fang
Watchingher from the road was stalkerish as all hell, I knew that but I just couldn't seem to help myself. I hadn’t rushed back from our pointless meeting with one of The Family’s cronies to be screamed at because I had woken her up.
When I knocked on the door of the bar, I wanted her to be happy to see me. Because I had come back quicker just to see her.
The interrogation might have been pointless but it had made me realise one thing.
Gypsy was special.
I might not have known what the future held but I sure as hell wanted her part of it at least to involve her.
